The Defence Headquarters has countered rumors of the death of Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, confirming he is on annual leave and in good health. The DHQ also warned against spreading false information regarding military leadership.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has officially denied the circulating reports that an acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has been appointed to stand in for Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. The DHQ made this clarification following widespread rumors about Lagbaja’s alleged death, which sparked concerns among Nigerians.
In a statement released on Monday, the DHQ confirmed that General Lagbaja is currently observing his 2024 annual leave and is in good health. This followed public speculation regarding his absence, with some online sources falsely claiming that COAS had passed away and that the army had appointed a senior officer to fill the leadership gap.
The Nigerian Army was quick to refute the death rumors over the weekend, describing them as “fake news.” On Saturday, the DHQ also confirmed that while COAS was receiving medical treatment abroad, the situation had been misrepresented by the public.
Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, further clarified the situation, stating, “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on a well-deserved rest as part of his annual leave. He is hale and hearty, and will soon resume normal duties.” Gusau also explained that Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans, is providing routine updates to COAS in line with standard military protocol.
The DHQ condemned those spreading the false reports and cautioned individuals against advocating for any form of military takeover, calling such actions treasonable under the Nigerian Constitution.
As the rumors of General Lagbaja’s death continue to spread, the DHQ has urged Nigerians to rely on verified information and avoid fueling baseless speculation.
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